"Because... I love her." Li Rui's voice was soft, as soft as a feather falling on my heart, but it stirred up thousands of waves.

My mind went blank for a moment, and it took me a long time to find my voice: "She? Who is it?"

Li Rui smiled bitterly and did not answer my question directly. He just turned his head and looked into the distance with a deep and distant gaze: "She is a gentle and kind woman, just like the brightest ray of sunshine in spring, illuminating the darkest corner of my life."

I followed his gaze, but all I saw was a field of peonies in full bloom, gorgeous and charming, yet inexplicably making me feel a little sad.

"When I met her, I was still an unloved prince," Li Rui said with a hint of nostalgia. "During that time, I lived in a daze. I didn't know where my future was, or what the meaning of my existence was."

I listened quietly without saying anything. I felt that Li Rui had a very deep story hidden in his heart, a story that he was reluctant to mention but could not forget.

"She made me understand that even in the dark, I should look to the light," Li Rui's voice was full of gratitude. "She taught me how to love, how to take responsibility, and how to be a better person."

I suddenly became curious. What kind of woman was it that Li Rui could not forget about her?

"What happened next? You guys..." I couldn't help but ask, but I didn't know how to ask next.

Li Rui was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Later...she died."

His voice was so quiet, so quiet that it scared me.

I took a deep breath, not knowing what to say to comfort him.

"She left peacefully with a smile on her face," Li Rui's lips curled up slightly, but that smile was full of bitterness. "She said she didn't regret falling in love with me. Even if this relationship didn't work out, she had no regrets."

My heart seemed to be grasped tightly by an invisible hand, and I couldn't breathe.

"From then on, I vowed to live well for her and protect everything she wanted to protect," Li Rui's eyes gradually became firm, "So, I will agree to help my brother, because I know that only when Zhou An is at peace, she can rest in peace."

I finally understood what kind of painful responsibility Li Rui had been carrying all these years. He seemed calm and indifferent, but he buried all the pain in his heart and bore this heavy burden alone.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, "I didn't know..."

"You don't have to apologize," Li Rui turned around and looked at me tenderly, "I have never told these things to anyone. You are the first one."

My cheeks felt slightly hot and my heartbeat quickened.

Li Rui suddenly reached out and gently stroked my cheek. His eyes were deep and blurred, as if he wanted to see through me.

"Qingya," his voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of danger, "You know what? You and she really look alike, both in appearance and personality..."

My breathing became rapid. His closeness made me nervous, but I couldn't help but want to indulge in his tenderness.

"You..." I wanted to say something, but he suddenly kissed me on the lips.

His kiss was domineering yet gentle, with a hint of long-suppressed desire, as if he wanted to melt my entire body in his arms.

I suddenly felt my mind go blank, and all my thoughts were taken away by him.

At this moment, there was a sound of hurried footsteps, accompanied by a sharp cry:

"My Lord! Something bad has happened!"